hey everyone! i'm getting such a great response to this story! if i havent emailed you back yet dont fret i'll get to it! So here's the next chapter, sorry it was a bit of a wait... anyway let me know what you think!
Rian Chapter 5
Sometime later Tristian came through to report that Gus had got a hold of Rian's grandparents and that they had signed over temporary guardianship in lieu of Rian's dad. Something complicated that the boys didn't really care about. All they knew was that now Gus could make decisions for Rian who was still some months away from his 18th birthday.
Most of this went over Rian's head as the drugs made him kind of oblivious. In fact while most of this was all going on Rian was contentedly dreaming.
He dreamed of a boy with honey coloured eyes and a brilliant smile. He dreamed of silly disconnected things too, melting icy poles, sliding down grassy hills on flattened cardboard boxes, the feeling you got when you jumped off the top tower at the swimming pool, the sick yet satisfied feeling you got when you ate an entire bag of lollies.
His thoughts gradually changed. He saw his father's angry face the time he thought his mother's lipstick would make great war paint. He saw his father's frustration when Rian took an extraordinarily long time to work out how to tie his shoe laces, he saw his father talking to his mother at the back of the hall when he graduated from primary school instead of taking photos like everyone else's parents. Finally he saw the look of absolute hatred and anger on his father's face as he kicked and punched Rian's already battered body.
It was with this image in his mind that Rian woke. Jake was gone and the room was dark. He could hear heavy breathing and slight snoring from the room's other occupants and the faint yet amazingly penetrating hospital noises.
Rian wished someone was there.
He woke up to whispering the next morning, surprised that he had fallen asleep in the first place. Jake and Tristian were in the corner smiling and whispering to each other. Rian felt a sudden pang of jealousy shoot through him as he watched.
Jake looked up suddenly and saw he was awake. He grinned widely and hurried over to his side.
"Hey Rian. How you feeling this morning?"
Rian smiled faintly. "Thirsty."
Jake spun to get water but Tristian was already there and the two of them smacked into each other. Giggling, they argued about who got to give Rian water.
Rian watched them. They seemed really close and again jealousy reared. It was then that Rian noticed a dull pain in his chest. He was pretty sure it wasn't from jealousy though. He winced but was really glad that the pain was not half as bad as yesterday, although that may have had something to do with the painkillers he was on.
Jake had conceded the battle and Tristian approached with a cup of water. Rian watched them silently.
Tristian frowned. There was something in Rian's eyes, well eye really, that hinted that he was upset about something. Tristian helped him tilt his head and held the water steady for him as Rian used one shaking hand.
Jake had run around the other side of the bed and picked up Rian's free hand. He was rubbing it gently and despite himself, Rian started to relax. When Rian's head was back on the pillow, Jake reached out and smoothened Rian's short curls off his forehead. Rian's eyes closed as he reveled in the feel of the gentle hand.
"Ree?" Tristian said softly and Rian looked at him. "Your grandparents are arriving today to see how you are."
Rian wasn't sure how he felt about that. They were snobby rich people who lived in a huge house in an area with all the other snobby rich people. Rian, being a bit of a socialist at heart especially where welfare and equality was concerned, had tolerated them politely but never really liked them.
"Tristian? Do they know?" He didn't mean that his father had done this but that he was gay.
Tristian guessed what he meant. "No. Dad does though and he wants to talk with you."
Jake was looking puzzled. "Knows what?" He asked curiously.
Rian stared at him for a moment. For some reason his past fear of people knowing had diminished. "I'm gay. That's why my dad beat me up."
Jake looked horrified and for a moment Rian thought that he was horrified at the fact that he was gay. "How could your father do that?"
As the reality of the news sunk into both Rian and Jake, a shy smile passed between them. A smile that made both their hearts race. The moment was interrupted by Gus.
"Boys? Can I speak with Rian alone please?" Gus asked.
The boys nodded and headed out the door.
Gus smiled at Rian as walked over and sat in the chair beside the bed. He drew the curtain partially around for some added privacy.
"I'm not going to beat around the bush, let me get straight to the point. Tristian told me that you're gay and that this was why your father has been hurting you. Firstly Rian, I want you to know that you are kind of like a second son to me and I've been very worried about you lately. Ange and I don't care that you're gay." Gus patted Rian's hand in comfort.
"Rian, I've talked to your grandparents and they have signed over temporary guardianship. They will be here later on today." Gus frowned and Rian noticed that he seemed troubled. "I haven't told them why your father beat you but your father has been arrested and I'm sure they will find out soon. No matter what I will still be asking if I can get permanent guardianship over you. I want you to come and live at our place. Ange is cleaning up the guest room for you as we speak. She wanted me to tell you she will be around to see you later."
"The police will also be in this afternoon to question you and my lawyer and I will be there if you want. How does that sound? Do you want to live with us? Its ok if you would prefer to live with your grandparents."
Rian smiled happily for the first time in a long while then tears started to appear.
"I want to stay with you and Ange." The tears overwhelmed him.
Gus held him while he cried.
When Gus left the two boys hurried back in. Jake was continually shocked and upset every time he saw Rian laying there. How could Rian's own father hurt him like that? Just because he was gay? Jake had told his parents that he was gay when he was fourteen and they didn't bat an eyelid.
He came from a massive family, with two older brothers, an older sister, two younger sisters who were twins and a younger brother. The only one who had some difficulty with it was his oldest brother Mark. Mark had married a very religious woman and had converted. It took the whole family ganging up on Mark to make him see reason. Things weren't the same between them but Jake had never been that close to his eldest brother in the first place.
Jake stared at Rian from the doorway. He had told a few family members about the intriguing boy and they had all encouraged him to get to know him. He had held back before never hoping that Rian could be gay. But he was.
Jake couldn't help the grin that came over his face. He caught up with Tristian and made his way over to Rian's bed.
Perching himself on the edge of the bed, Jake reached over and took Rian's hand.
"What did Dad say Ree?" Tristian asked eagerly, hiding a smile at Jake's obvious infatuation.
"He wants me to stay at your house."
"AND?" Tristian demanded grinning.
"I want to live with you guys." Rian said smiling as Tristian started bouncing around the room like Tigger.
After he had been told off by a nurse, Tristian declared he was going to talk to his dad about how best to use his new slave. Grinning evilly he raced from the room much to the annoyance of the nurse who called after him to slow down. Muttering, she turned back to her patient.
"He means that doesn't he?" Jake laughed.
Rian smiled. "He only wishes. Bet you Gus'll make him slave after me until I get better. There'll be hell to pay."
Rian laughed when he heard a nurse in the hall say loudly, "Slow down young man! You nearly bowled me over!"
The laugh quickly turned into a grimace and he clutched his chest as a sharp twinge of pain shot through his ribs.
Jake noticed and went into mother hen mode. "Are you ok? Do you want me to call the doctor?"
Rian smiled faintly. "I'm fine just remind me not to laugh."
"Ok." Jake said seriously. "Hold on, I'll put in my phone."
They stared at each other a moment then Jake grinned and Rian couldn't help the giggle that burst out.
"Ow!" He winced again
"Sorry!" Jake was instantly contrite. He stared at Rian quietly, trying to resist the urge to run his fingers through that beautiful raven hair.
After a second of internal battle, Jake gave in. He leaned close and brushed Rian's forehead tenderly with his fingers.
"Oh Rian." He whispered, moving his fingers into Rian's soft curls.
Rian watched him, taking in the expression on Jake's face. He couldn't ever remember seeing that expression on someone's face as they looked at him before.
It was a look of loving tenderness. Those honey eyes moved closer and closer. Rian felt Jake's breath softly fanning his mouth then Jake's lips brushed his own.